The Black and White

by Kaia Patty

Pilgrim’s softball team has faced a season of highs and lows, highlighting their resilience and perseverance. Going into the season, the team aimed high, with a strong group of new and returning players to lead the way. With the team working so hard, they are looking forward to a strong end to the season. 

Coach McDonnell has kept an optimistic attitude regarding the team, despite some of the hardships they’ve faced. “We’ve always had a successful program, so going into the season, my goals were high,” he states. With a group of thirteen skilled players, it’s no surprise that the team would continue to set their sights high. 

The three team captains, Gretchen Dombeck, Skylar Hawes, and Madison Tuirok, went into the season with intense aspirations, with them expressing a desire to make it far in the playoffs and hopefully, the championship. They’ve reflected on their time with the sport, with some of the highlights for them being the team bonding moments. “I’ve just really loved all of the team bonding and us pushing each other to be the best we can be,” expresses junior captain Madison Tuirok. Her views are shared by her co-captains, with senior Gretchen Dombeck considering how she and the team have changed over the course of her time at Pilgrim, stating, “I’m very proud of how far I’ve come from freshman to senior year and all the improvement the team has made”. 

Though the team has faced a very challenging season, they are ready to come back even stronger next year!